Category: New Releases

Jonny Lang – Signs – Album Review

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Grammy Award winning artist, Jonny Lang, is back with his new album, ‘Signs’.  If you aren’t familiar with Jonny, you are definitely missing out.  He is a Blues, Gospel and rock guitarist, songwriter and singer.  There is nothing this man can’t do.  He brings in so many influences and crafts them into heartfelt and moving songs that are either blues or straight up rock & roll and when he mixes the two together, watch out!!

I remember when his first album came out in 1997, ‘Lie to Me’, and he was only 16 years old.  I heard that album and couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  No 16 year old should be able to pull off what this kid could do.  Years went by and he struggled with substance abuse and in 2000 came clean.  He found Christianity after shunning it for so long and it changed his perspective on everything.  His writing, playing and vocals started hitting on all cylinders.  He won a Grammy in 2006 for his album ‘Turn Around’ and he kept putting out incredible music.

Now in 2017, can he still produce albums that strike a chord with you after 20 years in the business?  Oh yes he can.  Jonny Lang has released what could possibly be the album of the year for me.  His vocals, songwriting and guitar playing (damn can he play a guitar) are nothing short of awe-inspiring.  Sit back and let me walk you through this masterpiece.

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Friday New Releases – September 29th

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Welcome to the last Friday New Releases of the month.  There are too many new releases this week and no way to even come close to listening to it all.  There a handful I will attempt to get to and those will be highlighted in Blue, but doesn’t mean there aren’t others on this list I don’t want to hear.  I have to some way prioritize the listening choices.  I am sure there is something on here that you will find exciting.  Let me know what you are interested in getting.

  • 91+F7bRBJkL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg  Shania Twain – Now – (Universal Nashville):  Oh Shania, how we have missed you.  Back with her first album in 15 YEARS!!!.  I have heard a couple songs off the album and haven’t been overly impressed so I am little worried about this one.  My wife and I enjoy Shania and went saw her in concert about 2 years ago and we also had “From This Moment” played at our wedding.  As a result, I will give this a listen despite my hesitations.

  • 51-RUWDsUjL._AC_US218_  Black Stone Cherry – Black to Blues EP – (Mascot Label Group): The Southern Hard Rock band is bringing us a little EP to hold us over until their next album…I am so cool with that.  They don’t seem to ever disappoint and I could use a good old rock album about now.

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Friday New Releases – September 22nd

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Another Friday is upon us and another day of new music.  There is a little of everything on tab for this week so hopefully there is something you can find you want to give a spin.  I have quite a few this week and they are highlighted in Blue as usual.

  • 613Ur6oUHlL._AC_US218_  Black Country Communion – BCCIV – (J&R Adventures):  BCC is back with their 4th album.  I thought they might have been done after their last one so I am thrilled to see a new release.  If you don’t know who they are, the band consists of some quite talented musicians you might have heard about…Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian.  Not a bad line-up.  Definitely worth checking out.

  • 615l-IJwJwL._AC_US218_  H.E.A.T – Into the Great Unknown – (Frontiers Records): This Swedish rock band brings us their 5th release and first after losing original guitarist Eric Rivers.  I am interested to hear it despite 2 of the original members now gone including the lead singer.  That usually really bothers me when you lose the singer, but Erik Gronwell can hold his own and has done a fine damn job since taking over.  Here is to hoping for more of the same greatness from these guys.
  • 411N1zML8KL._AC_US218_  The Killers – Wonderful Wonderful – (Island Records):  For some reason, I really like The Killers.  When they are good, they are really good and Brandon Flowers has been sounding great lately.  I am digging the new song “Run for Cover” so hoping the rest of the album is on par with that one.

  • 61KFg3CH+0L._AC_US160_  Mastodon – Cold Dark Place E.P. – (Reprise Records):  It is only an E.P., but anything from this Atlanta Metal band is worth grabbing.  Bring it on.

  • images-1  Fergie – Double Duchess – (Retrofuture Productions):  Okay, yes I am interested in hearing Fergie.  I have my guilty pleasures.  She proved she can rock out when she did a song for Slash so I definitely want to hear what she brings to the table this time around.

  • 4192A8z6v8L._AC_US218_  Otherwise – Sleeping Lions – (Century Media)
  • 61FIiVNH5OL._AC_US218_  Macklemore – Gemini – (Bendo LLC)
  • 513lUqo6OtL._AC_US218_  Matthew West – All In – (Sparrow)
  • 61EuJwZ3BCL._AC_US218_  Josh Ritter – Gathering – (Pytheas Recordings)
  • 51CVVBAaSrL._AC_US218_  Midland – On the Rocks – (Big Machine)
  • 51nMKZQR5nL._AC_US218_  Van Morrison – Roll With The Punches – (Exile Productions)
  • 61LDM-QpKqL._AC_US218_  Leon Russell – On A Distant Shore – (Palmetto)
  • 61d5C7z7dcL._AC_US218_  Chris Hillman – Bidin’ my Time – (Rounder)
  • 61KHcRSiqCL._AC_US218_  Steve Martin / The Steep Canyon Rangers – “The Long-Awaited Album” – (Rounder)
  • 51T3BQ1iCJL._AC_US218_  Cradle of Filth – Cryptoriana: The Seductiveness of Decay – (Nuclear Blast)
  • 51sZCZfQfIL._AC_US160_  Lecrae – All Things Work Together – (Reach Records)
  • 51NFpv8xsDL._AC_US218_  Haley Reinhart – What’s That Sound? – (Concord Records)
  • 51o8JkMVkwL._AC_US218_  Brian Wilson – Playback: The Brian Wilson Anthology – (Rhino/Warners)

Friday New Releases – September 15th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic25 Comments

Well hold on to your hats, there is an abundance of new releases today.  Over 27 albums on the list so there has to be something for you.  For me, there are at least 10 I want to listen to, but I am sure I won’t make it through all of them.  The ones I want are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you would like to buy or hear.

  • 61KS6Xq7XTL._AC_US218_  Josh Todd & the Conflict – Year of the Tiger – (Century Media):  If there isn’t a Buckcherry new album, I will take  Josh Todd album and this one has me super excited.  This one seems to be a little harder than Buckcherry and I like that.  The harder the better baby!!

  • 91GkSim-z6L._AC_UL115_  Foo Fighters – Concrete and Gold – (Roswell Records):  The Foo Fighters bring us another release and although my interest tends to fade over time, I still enjoy them and will give this one a listen.  What I have heard so far has been promising so maybe they have put together a decent album…we will wait and see.

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Friday New Releases – September 8th

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Finally!!! The new releases start picking up.  August was such a slow month, but it is about to get busy.  The floodgates are opening and the new releases are coming in full force.  So hold on and open your wallets, it is going to get expensive.  This week gets off nicely and the ones I am interested in are highlighted in Blue.  There should be something in here for everyone especially some great rock and a ton of country.  Let me know what you like.

  • 61u4pnXwDyL._AC_US218_  Alter Bridge – Live at the O2 Arena + Rarities – (Napalm Records):  Alter Bridge live is going to be good.  You have the boys from Creed and Myles Kennedy who is one of the hardest working singers in the business between Alter Bridge, Slash and so many other projects, he is always working.  There have been a lot of good live albums lately and this should be no exception.  The plus side is there are a bunch of rare tracks on here as well that really has my interest.

  • 61hNZekCmAL._AC_US218_  Jonny Lang – Signs – (Concord Records):  Blues rocker Jonny Lang is back with his first album in 4 years and it has been way too long.  I am looking forward to hearing some more of his guitar magic.  With a new album from Kenny Wayne Shepherd and now Jonny, blues rock is alive and kicking.

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The Winery Dogs – Dog Years: Live in Santiago & Beyond 2013-2016 – Album Review

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The same day I received Def Leppard’s Hysteria 30th Anniversary Box Set, I also received this gem, The Winery Dogs ‘Dog Years: Live in Santiago & Beyond 2013-2016’.  The Special Edition set includes the Live concert filmed in Santiago, Chile on both Blue-Ray and DVD as well as the concert on 2 CDs.  Lastly, you get a bonus EP of Dog Years.  I will go through each for you, but I won’t go song-by-song as there are 30 songs in total and I can’t write that much and you would get bored with me repeating how great each song is…mostly.

To avoid typing out all the songs, I will get lazy and show you the back cover of the CD with the song listings.

IMG_0269

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Friday New Releases – September 1st

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August was not a great month for new releases, so September has to be better…right??  Yes and No.  Yes, September is loaded with some great possible new releases.  But No, it isn’t this week.  Next week starts the onslaught of new releases and you won’t be disappointed.  There a couple I will listen to this week, but not overly excited about any of them.  My choices are highlighted in Blue (and sadly no good rock albums this week…for me at least).

  • 61xqcyFYOYL._AC_US218_  The Script – Freedom Child – (Sony Music):  The Irish band is back with their 5th studio album.  The are decent enough pop band.  My daughter and I saw them several years ago for some radio station Christmas show and I have to say that they weren’t very good live.  Or at least at this event.  I could not understand what the singer was saying or even singing.  We were disappointed.  Their studio stuff is way better.  Let’s hope we get some decent pop songs.  My expectations aren’t real high so shouldn’t be disappointed (better not be).

  • 41U-VT1fUBL._AC_US218_  Dixie Chicks – DCX MMXVI Live – (Columbia):  The Dixie Chicks are always entertaining.  I am glad to see them still putting out music.  This one seems like an interesting collection of the latest tour.  It includes 2CDs and I believe a DVD of the show.  Should be a nice set.

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Friday New Releases – August 25th

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It is the last Friday of August and school is back in session for most people (my kids actually start this coming Monday).  August has really sucked for new releases (for the most part).  This week is no different. There is only one I am interested in and it is Degreed.  I already have enough Motley Crue as I have Girls, Girls, Girls on Vinyl and CD and plus they aren’t really offering anything I don’t already have.  Queen of the Stone Age has a new album out as well, but really don’t care…never have.  Man, I am just a downer today…sorry.  My interest is highlighted in Blue.  September looks to be a much better month for releases as Fall generally is the best time of the year for new albums as everyone wants to get it out before Christmas.

  • download-2  Degreed – Degreed – (Gain/Sony):  Degreed came to my attention thanks to a little label called MelodicRock Records and I have been following them ever since.  They are a melodic rock band with a very modern sound and are actually pretty great.  Give them a try if you haven’t.  Each album has some gems (CD is out next week, MP3/Streaming today)

  • 518DpWvkoML._AA160_  Queens of the Stone Age – Villains – (Matador Records)

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Def Leppard – ‘Hysteria’ 30th Anniversary (Deluxe Edition) – Album Review

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Thirty years ago on August 3rd, 1987, Def Leppard released their fourth studio album, ‘Hysteria’.  Little did they know this ground breaking album would go on to sell over 25 million records, produce 7 hit singles and go to #1 on the Billboard Charts.  The album was a labor of love for the band as it took several years to record and they struggled so much during this time.

There were so many setbacks during the recording of the album.  First, Robert John “Mutt” Lange turned down the producing job for the record after he had recorded “High & Dry” (my personal favorite) and “Pyromania” although he did help in the initial song writing for the record.  The band went through several producers during the recording including working with Jim Steinman of ‘Bat Out of Hell’ fame.  Their relationship did not go smoothly and he was later fired (they paid him a lot of money to get out of the contract so it must have gone badly). Later in the process, “Mutt” did come back and produce the final product and then history was made.

The second big obstacle was Rick Allen’s car accident that severed his arm.  Yes, the drummer of the band lost an arm.  With all respect to the band, they did not abandon Rick.  They stood by him and supported him until he was capable of playing the drums with one arm using an electronic drum set and a set of foot pedals to compensate for the lost arm.  It definitely was a trying time.  I won’t go into much more as you can watch the documentary included to learn more.

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Friday New Releases – August 18th

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Welcome to another Friday of new releases.  There is not a whole lot I am interested in and might give one or two a listen (highlighted in Blue) but still undecided.  Next week will have more to offer.  Hopefully there is something here for you.  Since there isn’t many, I will leave some videos for a number of the artist so you can try them out.

  • 51IGBakil2L._AC_US218_  Nathan Angelo – A Matter of Time – (Nathan Angelo Music):  Nathan Angelo is a singer/songwriter and more on the pop side. I have liked some of his older offerings, so if I am in the mood, I will throw this on and give it a spin.

  • 51jN2sjEiQL._AC_US218_  Steven Wilson – To The Bone – (SW Records):  I am not familiar with Steven Wilson, but this song was good and has peaked my interest a little.  Maybe I will play this one as well.

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